Livia Cevolini was 36-years-old when she founded Energica Motor Company, an Italian manufacturer of high-performance electric-motorbikes. Energica is based in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, also known as “Motor Valley” and home to automotive greats Lamborghini, Maserati, Ferrari, and Ducati.

Cevolini says she overcame significant obstacles to achieve success with her company. She has had to work hard to be accepted as an engineer and leader in the historically masculine field of motoring. “The automotive industry, including motorcycles, is mainly male-dominated. But, it’s changing,” says Cevolini from Energica’s headquarters in Italy. “There are more and more women that are passionate about motors, and that are demonstrating that they can be very good at the business.”